Mobile technology enables people to complete tasks without being tied down to a location. Smartphones, tablets and some gaming consoles are among the gadgets that fall into this category.
Smartphones work over cellular networks to communicate with other devices, the internet and each other. This enables people to do things like research information, shop online and connect with colleagues.
Unlike the first cellphones, which were large and had to be carried in briefcases, newer phones have become miniature computers. Some are designed for one-handed operation and offer voice calling, text messaging and internet access. Others include GPS navigation systems, cameras and fingerprint scanners. Some are portable and can be used with a Bluetooth headset, while others need to be charged frequently.
Cellphones use radio waves to transmit data, but if multiple people talk on the phone at the same time using the same type of radio wave, the calls would scramble together and become difficult to keep separate. So, the networks are divided into “cells,” and each cell uses a different set of frequencies to prevent interference. Each cellphone can only talk to one cell at a time, and when you move toward the edge of your cell, the base station notes that its signal strength is diminishing and sends a message over the control channel to switch your phone to another frequency.
Modern smartphones also have 4G technology, which is faster than the earlier 3G network and enables people to surf the internet and download music at high speed. A much faster network, 5G, is on the horizon and will enable people to do even more with their smartphones.